Emergency and Urgent Care Services

Overview

At Animal Republic Veterinary Hospital and ER, we provide expert emergency and urgent care for dogs, cats, and exotic pets, including avian species, reptiles, and rodents. Understanding the signs of a medical emergency and seeking prompt treatment can be vital for your pet’s health. Our dedicated team is here to offer immediate and comprehensive care in critical situations.

What Constitutes an Emergency?

1. Breathing Difficulties

• Difficulty breathing or choking on a foreign object
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Continuous coughing or choking sounds
• Blue or pale gums or tongue

2. Neurological Symptoms

• Seizures or severe lethargy
• Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
• Head trauma leading to disorientation or collapse

3. Cardiovascular Issues

• Weak or rapid pulse
• Collapse or fainting
• Pale gums or prolonged congestion
• Exercise intolerance: Sudden fatigue, weakness, or collapse during or after physical activity

4. Digestive Distress

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
• Bloated or distended abdomen
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Inability to keep food or water down
• Foreign body ingestion (e.g., toys, bones)

5. Trauma and Injury

• Severe bleeding or open wounds
• Visible fractures or dislocations
• Signs of severe pain (e.g., vocalizing, restlessness)
• Hit by car or other blunt force trauma
• High-rise syndrome (injuries sustained by a cat falling from a building)
• Bite wounds
• Burns or chemical exposure
• Penetrating wounds or impalement

6. Behavioral Changes

• Sudden aggression or extreme anxiety
• Withdrawal or hiding behavior
• Unusual vocalizations indicating distress
• Sudden changes in appetite or drinking habits

7. Signs of Severe Pain

• Persistent discomfort or vocalizing
• Excessive licking or biting at a specific area
• Reluctance to move or severe limping
• Painful abdomen (tense, hunched posture)

8. Toxin Exposure

• Ingestion or inhalation of harmful substances such as rodenticides, insecticides, or heavy metals
• Ingestion of toxic substances like chocolate, antifreeze, or plants
• Exposure to household chemicals (e.g., bleach, cleaning agents)
• Ingestion of human medications (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen)

9. Inability to Urinate

• Urinary blockage, especially in male cats, which can be life-threatening
• Blood in urine or straining to urinate without producing urine

10. Dystocia

• Difficulty giving birth in pregnant animals
• Prolonged labor or visible distress during birthing

11. Intact Females with Vaginal Discharge or Distended Abdomen

• Potential sign of pyometra, a life-threatening infection

12. Diabetic Animals Refusing Food

• Can indicate serious health problems such as diabetic ketoacidosis

13. Heat Stroke

• Symptoms include excessive panting, drooling, weakness, collapse, and a body temperature over 104°F (40°C)

14. Anaphylaxis and Severe Allergic Reactions

• Triggered by vaccines, bee stings, snake bites, medications, or allergens
• Symptoms include sudden swelling, difficulty breathing, collapse, vomiting, or pale gums

15. Swollen or Distended Abdomen

• May indicate a severe underlying condition such as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or internal bleeding

16. Ingestion of Recreational Substances

• Marijuana ingestion is common and can cause symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, tremors, incoordination, drooling, and in severe cases, seizures or coma

17. Severe Eye Injuries or Sudden Blindness

• Trauma to the eye, punctures, lacerations, or sudden blindness could indicate a retinal detachment or severe inflammation

18. Severe Hypothermia or Hyperthermia

• Extreme changes in body temperature due to environmental exposure
• Shivering, weakness, lethargy, or collapse